Occupy Tampa has stood in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street since its inception, and will function as the host occupation for the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL on August 27th – 30th, 2012.

Preparations have included: 1) Securing sleeping arrangements for as many occupiers as we can fit in our current encampment. In order to maximize available space to accommodate as many people as possible, we will (2) remove individual tents and replace them with large canopies to offer shade and protection from the weather. (3) Our liaison with Fire Dog Lake, Sonja Ebron, continues to work with Occupy Tampa by securing items such as sunscreen, bug spray, bandanas, portable water containers, sleeping bags and mats, UV protective shirts and other useful items.

Occupy Tampa has formed a Regional General Assembly to coordinate Occupy groups throughout the bay area, including: Occupy Lakeland, Occupy St. Petersburg, Occupy Bradenton, Occupy USF, Occupy New Port Richey, and Occupy Sarasota. We have tried to plan as much as possible ahead of time, but we want to leave space open to spontaneously produce additional actions by harnessing the number of people that arrive.

Food Not Bombs has called a World Gathering and plans to run feeding operations throughout the duration of the RNC. A week before the Republican National Convention, chapters of Food Not Bombs from every corner of the globe will convene in order to prepare to feed the thousands of protesters flooding into the city. FNB will serve brunch everyday at 10 am, at Voice of Freedom Park, and will also serve dinner before the General Assemblies. We will offer warm-ups at 9 am, including yoga & other light exercises.

We invite everyone to come and take advantage of the preparations we have made, to help ensure that all occupiers and other supporting groups can use this moment of national attention to confront the political status-quo.

We currently occupy a privately-owned, publicly accessible park (fittingly named “Voice of Freedom). The owner has donated the space for use by the Occupy Movement. Facilities include: running water, two port-a-potties, parking, Internet access, and electricity.

I live in Tampa and will be at the center of the action. A few tips for my good friends attending....Drink lots and lots of water!!!! Its f'ing hot and muggy. Wear large floppy hats. wet a hand towel, lay it on your head, hanging down the back of your neck and put hat on over it. As the water evaporates it produces natural cooling effect. Your blood vessals are numerous and close to the surface on your head. By keeping it cool, you can withstand the heat longer. If you get a pounding headache, immediately move to shade, drink more water and put wet towel on your head. Stay still and relaxed. After your head stops pounding continue sitting and drinking another 30mins. If you suddenly stop sweating and have a pounding headache, feel nausea or light headed, seek medical attention immediately or you may die. Hope this helps. Have fun!

The MLK quote "capitalism has out-lived its usefulness" comes from a letter written to Coretta. July 18, 1952

"I imagine you already know that I am much more socialistic in my economic theory than capitalistic. And yet I am not so opposed to capitalism that I have failed to see its relative merits. It started out with a noble and high motive, viz., to block the trade monopolies of nobles, but like most human systems it fell victim to the very thing it was revolting against. So today capitalism has out-lived its usefulness. It has brought about a system that takes necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes. So I think Bellamy is right in seeing the gradual decline of capitalism.

I think you noticed that Bellamy emphasized that the change would be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. This, it seems to me, is the most sane and ethical way for social change to take place."

I prefer that quote over the one about ending capitalism. Those wanting revolution have hijacked Martin's words to fit their own agenda. That is exactly what spin is. The very people who claim to be marching for truth, instead distort the truth.

Pure self interest is not limited to just the young revolutionaries or corporate fat cats. It infects very one of us. The only thing separating us from them is acknowledging it exists and doing what is just instead.